Fremont woman recalls growing up in this city

Mar. 27, 2013

Written by

Roy Wilhelm

Occasionally, I am using this column to pass along the reflections of longtime Fremonters. I think the personal touch enriches our look into Fremont history.

Today: some thoughts from Carol Morelock:

“As a girl around 10, I used to walk downtown with a girlfriend who came from Clyde to visit on Saturday mornings. We loved to ride the elevator at Joseph's, or take the city bus to the end of each direction, getting a token to change buses each time.

“At Christmas my mom would take us down to the 5 and 10 and we would pick out additions to our Nativity. For years we had so many dogs and sheep as well as extra shepherds and angels. Jesus at our house, had the best spot in town. We also chose our gifts for our parents here each year - usually on a rotating basis - first the dollar wallet and the next year was handkerchiefs. One year I went to Rose’s Florist on State Street hill and purchased a tiny envelope for my mom. I just could not imagine what was in it but I just had to buy it for her.. Turns out it was sachet….

“The most amazing peach sundae I ever had was at the dime store with my friend Marci Tinkovicz. After giving our 4-H demonstration at the fair. (How to make kool aid!) we walked downtown so her mom could pick her up.

“During my high school years we walked down to the dime store for chocolate before going up to meet the bus at the junior high or we walked to Billies for a cherry coke ….

“Loved Trempers with all its interesting "Stuff" and the friendly Mr. Stein. During my youth we enjoyed the soda fountain and later on my then boyfriend bought me tiny knickknacks when he would stop to pick up packages for work.

“After getting my first job, I loved to run to the dress shops during my lunch hour. Richards always had great things. In those days everyone wore dresses to work and, each February, Fashion Shop had a terrific buy one - get one for one cent sale. How I loved that..

“In the 40's my grandfather was a tailor for the then Ulmans shop. (In the 1940s and 50s, Uhlman’s was at 204-206 South Front. In the 1990s Uhlman’s returned to town in the former Joseph’s store at 127-129 S. Front.) When I was little I thought that was his "Maiden" name since I never had tailored clothing and they always said "Grandpa Wasserman was a tailor".. Just like my mom was a Smith!”

Roy Wilhelm started a 40-year career at The News-Messenger in 1965, as a reporter. Now retired, he is writing about the history of some Sandusky County businesses.